Air cleaner



Feb. 15, 1944. c. w. HAGA AIR CLEANER Fileqi Dec. 31, 1940 INVENTOR.

I 6222 5 N Ha Q2 BY ATTORNEY.

. stream passing therethrough;

Patented F eb. 15,1944

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR CLEANER Carl W. Hagar, San Diego, Calif.-

Application December 31, 1940, Serial No. 372,480 (Cl. 183-15) 2 Claims.

My invention relates to an air cleaner, more particularly an air cleaner for use in connection with various types of internal combustion engines and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an air-cleaner of this class in which a revolubly mounted louver operated struc-- ture is arranged to be revolved by the air draft passing through said air cleaner, whereby centrifugal force in the oil sump thereof is created by the revolution of said louver operated structure for uniform centrifugal distribution of oil from said sump onto the filter elements positioned outwardly of said louver operated structure.

Second, to provide an air cleaner of this class in which a revolubly mounted louver operated structure is provided with an annular, upwardly and outwardly extending angular portion, which portion extends into the oil in the sump of my air cleaner whereby revoluble movement of said louver operated structure provides centrifugal directional force of said oil upwardly and outwardly on said upwardly and outwardly extending angular portion thereof directing said oil uniformly and evenly upon a filtering element positioned outwardly of said louver ture;

Third, to provide an air cleaner of this class which bathes the air stream passing thereoperat ed structhrough with oil and also filters the air stream by means of an oil saturated filtering medium;

Fourth, to provide an air cleaner of this class in which a revolubly mountedlouver structure positioned internally of the ,outer casing of my air cleaner operates as a filtering medium and also as a centrifugal oil pump for radially spraying the oil and bathing the air stream passing through my air cleaner with oil spray. Fifth, to provide an air cleaner of this class in which oil is sprayed across the air stream in transverse relation therewith as said air stream passes through my aircle'aner;

Sixth, to provide an aircleaner of this class in which any fine particles of oil in the air stream when in the vortex at the central portion of my air cleaner tend to move outwardly away from said outlet due to centrifugal force created at said vortex; 7

Seventh, to provide an aircleaner of this class in which louver operated revolubly mounted structure is very freely rotatable providing efficient operation of my air cleaner at various velocities and with varying volumes of the air Eighth, to provide an air cleaner of this class tion, eflicient in its action and which will not Tenth, to provide a novel air cleaner of this class; and

Eleventh, to provide an air cleaner of this class which is very simple and economical of construcreadily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and, other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as'will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the characters of reference thereon-which form a part of this application in which:

Figure l is a sectional view of my air cleaner taken from the line l-I of Fig. 2 showing by arrows the path of the air stream through my air cleaner; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line H of F g. 1 and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 55 of Fig. 1. I

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawing:

The outer casing member I, casing cover member 2, filter element supporting member 3, baille member 4, louver member 5, louver member supporting bearing 6, spring I, spider member I, baille plates '9 and 10, tube ll, bolt l2, centrifugal oil conducting member l3, bailie member M, air outlet conductor member l5, conductor member connection brackets l6 and the filtering elements l1, l8 and i9 constitute the principal parts and P rtions of my air cleaner.

The outer casing member I is substantially cup-shaped in form, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and is provided with an upwardly ex tending centrally positioned cylindrical portion nular channel shaped member Ila.

to receive the air outlet conductor I internally thereof, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The outer annular edge portion Ib of the outer casing member I is arranged to support the annular bead portion 3a of the filter element supporting member 3 and this filter element supporting member 3 is provided with an annular skirt portion 3b positioned internally of the outer casing member I inwardly of the annular edge portion Ib thereof, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The filter element supporting member 3 is provided with an inwardly and upwardly extending annular portion 3c in which a plurality of openings 3d are positioned as shown best in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawing. These openings 3d provide passages for the intake of air into my air cleaner, as indicated by arrows in Fig. l of the drawing.

Integral with said inwardly-and upwardly extending annular portion 30 is a disc-like portion 3e on the upper side of which is positioned the casing cover member 2. This casing cover memher 2 is provided with outwardly and downwardly curved skirt portions 2a, which extend below the openings 3d in the filter element supporting member 3 and outwardly thereof in spaced relation from the outer side of the outer casing member I, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Secured to the filter element supporting member 3 is a substantially annular band-like baffle member 4. This baflle member 4 is positioned inwardly of the openings 3d in the filter element supporting member 3 and the lower edge portion 4a of said baiile member 4 extends some distance below the openings 3d, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Secured to the inner side of this baffle member 4 and to the under side of the filter element supporting member 3 is the filtering element I! which is composed of two annular pieces of screen wire or the like. These annular pieces of screen wire are positioned in spaced relation from each other and extend from the lower side of the filter element supporting member 3 downwardly to the bottom portion Ic of the outer casing member I. Embracing the lower edges of these annular pieces of screen is a substantially an- This annular channel-shaped member Ila engages an annular indented portion lot in the bottom Ic of the outer casing member I supporting the filter element II in concentric relation with the outer casing member I in conforming spaced relation with the entire periphery thereof.

Positioned intermediate the casing cover member 2 and the filter element supporting member 3 at the central portions thereof is a spacer member 2b. Secured on the lower side of the filter element supporting member 3 in conforming relation with the spacer member 2b is a spacer member 3f which is arranged to engage the louver member bearing 6 and maintain the same 'in proper spaced relation from the lower side of said filter element supporting member 3.

The tube II is a hollow cylindrical'member rigidly secured to said air outlet conductor member'I5.

The bolt I2 is arranged in rigid connected re-' lation with the conductor member connection brackets I6 by means of the nut I2a, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

The tube I I is normally positioned on the bolt I 2 in substantially the relation as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, it being noted that the tube II is engaged by the nut 2c at its upper end and that the collar 6a in engagement with the lower side of the louver member bearing I5 is rigidly secured on the outer side of said tube II whereby the louver member bearing 6 is rigidly engaged by said collar So in opposed relation. to the spacer member 3 on the under side of the filter element supporting member 3. By tightening the nut 20 on the upper end of the tube II, the collar 80 is forced into close engaged relation with the lower side of the louver member bearing Ii, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Engaging the lower side of the collar 6a is the spring I which is acompression spring arranged to compress the gasket member I4a into engagement with the upper annular edge of the cylindrical portion Ia of the outer casing member I by means of engagement with the upper side of the spider member 8 which is secured to the baflle plate 9 on the under side of which is sesecured the baffle member I4, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The spring 1 is sub- ,stantially cylindrical in form and is positioned arranged to receive the bolt I2 which is rigidly around the tube II and is arranged to force the spider member 8 longitudinally on the tube II maintaining constant engaged relation of said gasket member Ma and the upper annular edge of the outer casing portions Ia, all as-shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The spider member 3 is provided with radiating arm portions 8a which are secured to the upper side of the baffle plate 9, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing. This baffie plate 9 is provided with a central opening 9a providing a passage for the air stream in communicative relation with the interior of the air outlet conductor member I5, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing.

The battle member I4 is substantially cylindrical in for'm and is provided with an annular channel-shaped portion I4b on its one end in which is positioned the gasket member 14a, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. I

The louver member 5 is mounted in rigid connected relation with the louver member bearing 6 which is a conventional ball bearing mounted concentrically of the outer casing member I. The louver member 5 is substantially cylindrical in form and is provided with a plurality of angularly disposed louver portions 5a in its peripheral side wall which louver portions 511 are arranged;

to beengaged by the air stream passing through my air cleaner whereby the louver member 5 is revolubly operated by said air stream.

Rigidly connected with the lower peripheral portion 5b of the louver member 5 is a baille plate I0. This bafiie plate' III is provided with a central opening Illa therein, which opening Illa provides space in the bafile plate III in which is concentrically positioned the bailie member I4, the annular side wall of which is arranged at substantially right angles thereto. It will be noted that louver member 5 is the filtering element I9. This filtering element I9 is composed of two spaced annular pieces of screen wire; or the like, and this filtering element I9 is supported by annular flanged portions I91; and I9b which are sheet metal flange portions in rigid connected relation with the louver member 5, all as shown best in Fig. l of the drawing.

It will be noted that this filtering eleinent I9 is positioned around the entire periphery of the louver member 5 in spaced relation from the louver portions 5a thereof and serves as a, third filter element and also buffets outwardly any particles of liquid which tends to enter the louver member 5.

The centrifugal oil conductor member I3 is an annular substantially frusto-conical member positioned in inverted relation and secured to the lower side of the baffle plate I near the periphery of the louver member 5. The angular and annular side wall portions I3a of this centrifugal oil conducting member I3 converges downwardly and inwardly toward the centrally positioned cylindrical casing portion Ia of the outer casing member I and this centrifugal oil conducting member I3 is provided with an upwardly extending annular cylindrical portion I3b which is positioned in spaced conforming relation with the outer side of the cylindrical casing portion Ia of the outer casing portion I.

It will be noted that this cylindrical portion I312 is positioned intermediate the casing portion Ia and the baiile member I4 and that the baflie member It and said cylindrical portion I3b overlap each other, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. This centrifugal oil conducting member I 3 is provided with openings I30 therein near the lower side of the louver member 5, as shown best in Fig. l of the drawing.

It will be here noted that the outer casing member I is partially filled with oil or other liquid to substantially the level A, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. This level A is positioned a considerable distance above the lower annular portion lid of the centrifugal oil conducting member I3 providing a substantial engaged relation of the centrifugal oilconducting member I3 with the oil or other liquid positioned in the lower sump portion of the outer casing member I, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

Positioned intermediate the filtering elements If and I9 is the filtering element I8, which filtering element I8 is composed of annular pieces of spaced screen wire or the like extending from the lower side of the filter element supporting memher 3 to substantially the lower side of the louver member 5 slightly above the openings I30 in the centrifugal oil conducting member I3.

It will be noted that the innermost layer of screen wire of the filtering element I8 is posi tioned in spaced relation with the outer side of the filtering elements I9 permitting free unobstructed revoluble operation of the filtering 'element III in its rigid connected relation with the louver member 5. v

The operation of my air cleaner is substantially as follows: Assuming that the air outlet conductor I5 is positioned in communicative relation with the intake of a conventional internal combustion engine, or carburetor thereof, the vacuum created in my air cleaner by said intake causes air to pass through my air cleaner in substantially the direction as indicated by arrows in Fig. l of the drawing. The air passing into my air cleaner passes beneath the skirt portion 2a of the casing cover member 2 inwardly through" the openings 3d of the filter element supporting,

. member 3 and downwardly toward the oil level A in the outer casing I outwardly of the filtering element II. Heavy delterious matter and cotton-like fibrous material is absorbed by the liquid outwardly of the filtering element I1 and the air passes through the filter elementJI upwardly through the filtering [elements I8 inwardly through the filtering elements I9, and through the louver portions 5a of the louver member 5, it being here noted that the filtering element I9 also bufiets outwardly any particles of liquid which tend to enter the louver member 5 during revoluble action. As the air passes through these louver portions 5a, the force of the air stream thereon tends to revolve the louver member 5 to-' gether with the baflle plate I0, centrifugal oil conducting member I3 and the filtering element I9. After the air passes through the louver portions 5a of the louver member 5, it passes inwardly between the radially extending finger portions 8a of the spider member 8 then downwardly through the opening 9a of the. battle plate 9, after which the air passes through the air outlet conductor I5 and into the intake. of the internal combustion engine to which my air cleaner is connected. As the louver member 5 revolves together with the centrifugal oil conducting member I3, the engagement of the centrifugal oil conducting member I3 with the oil or other liquid in the sump portion of the outer casing I causes centrifugal force to direct the oil or other liquids upwardly along the outer inclined surface I3a of the 'centrifugal oil conducting member I3, as indicated by arrows in Fig. l of the drawing. The oil or other liquid passing upwardly along the inclined surface I3a of the centrifugal oil conducting member I3 by centrifugal force is directed outwardly therefrom and said oil passes beneath the filtering element I8 toward the filtering element II. The oil or other liquid passing outwardly from the inclined annular surface I3a of the centrifugal oil conducting member I3 provides complete uniform saturation of the filtering element I1 and said oil passing outwardly toward said filtering element 1 I crosses the air stream passing through my air cleaner thoroughly washing the same before it enters the filtering element l8. The lower portion I3b of the centrifugal conducting member I3 being immersed in the oil or other liquid in the outer' casing I prevents the air stream from passing beneath said portion I311 over the upwardly extending portion I3?) and. around the baffle member I4 and the baflle plates 9 and I0. It will be readily observed that substantially the entire air stream mustpass through tion of my air cleaner providing a structure in l which the oil does not pass with the air into the intake of the internal combustion engine to which collect in molecular or other form internally thereof,

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and'portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an air cleaner of the class described, the combination of a stationary outer casing, a stationary annular filter element secured thereto in spacedrrelation from the outer wall of said casing, an annular revolubly mounted louver member in said casing inwardly of. said stationary filter element with louver portions arranged in chordal relation with its periphery and in a row, a revoluble filter element surrounding its louver portions and carried thereby and coextensive therewith, said outer casing provided with a sump portion at its lower end arranged to contain liquid therein and on opposite sides of said stationary filter member, an inverted frusto-conical centrifugal member whereby substantially the entire air stream passing through said air cleaner passes through said louver portions.

2. In an air cleaner of the class described, the

' combination of a stationary outer casing, a stationary annular filter element secured thereto in spaced relation from the outer wallof said casing, an annular revolubly mounted louver member in said casing inwardly of said stationary filter element with louver portions arranged in chordal relation with its periphery and in a row, a revoluble filter element surrounding its louver portions and carried thereby and coextensive therewith,

said outer casing provided with a sump portion at its lower end arranged to contain liquid therein and on oppositev sides of said stationary filter member, and an inverted frusto-conical centrifugal liquid conducting means rigidly secured to said louver member engaging with said liquid in said sump and arranged for conducting said liquid upwardly and outwardly, said centrifugal liquid conducting means extending'outwardly and upwardly in diverging relation with the axis of said louver member whereby liquid from said sump is conducted upwardly and outwardly to the outer side of said revoluble filter element towar said stationary filter element.

' CARL W. HAGAR. 

